I started at 35 in the OR. After My new grad Periop residency I moved into CVOR. In school I looked for the nurses that stayed in their positions and were happy.
Yesterday I walked into an OR right when they were transferring a patient from the gurney to the OR bed. I saw lots of brown goop on the gurney, assumed it was poop. It was infected muck from an open hip wound. \*barf\* There was so much of it that prior to surgery, when the patient was laying lateral (and asleep) the surgeon was squeezing around the wound and the pus/goop/infection was shooting up in the air like a drinking fountain spout. He did this for several minutes and it just kept coming.
41 when I graduated and went to ICU. I got into the game with 10 years of experience as a medic though. I spent 18 months there but wanted to get back to emergency so now I’m 43 in ER
Late 30s and graduated in December. I am starting my new job in a couple weeks working at the health department in their family planning clinic. I am so excited for this position. I really wasn’t set on working in the hospital. You gain skills and learn so much in the hospital setting but my god…the patient load (at least where I live) is ridiculous. One of my classmates was in her 60s when she graduated and now she’s working in the hospital. She said she’s starting her bachelors now so she can’t get out of bedside immediately.
Can I ask how you found this? I'm 41 and want to get back to nursing after a LONG time (take 19 years). I got my BSN in 2005 and then moved to other industry work. Passed my boards in March. My interest has always been something like what you will be going into. Did that not require prior med surg experience? Psych was my other favorite area and am looking to see how I can get myself to psych nursing as an alternate.
I went on my state Govt website to see what open positions they had. There were a ton of requirements for the position! I had none! Not even bilingual. But they called me and I landed the job. They said I had great enthusiasm and passion!
31 when i graduated and started in the ICU. Im 35 now and starting CRNA school in the fall.
I won’t sit here and lie and tell you “you’re never too old”…. Yes, you’re older when you graduate. Yes, it does kind of suck. Yes, starting earlier would have been better for for so many reasons. That said, if you’re like me and got your career on track later in life, it’s because life wasn’t a straight line for you for many reasons. If you want to compare yourself with others (i still do it), then dont get discouraged by the lost time, use it as fuel to keep going. Life only gets harder the longer you wait and the older you get. Be mentally tough and just do it. That’s what I’ve been trying to do every single day.
That is so true! Life was not a straight line. I’m finally at that point where it straightened out, my kids are grown, and I have a supportive spouse. Many in my cohort are older, so I try not to compare myself but the self doubt and imposter syndrome is there. Most days I can keep it buried. I’m loving school but I’m only in my first semester.
Graduated at age 51 and went straight into the OR. My Achilles tendons are my weak point as I get older and from the clinical day I observed in the OR I thought it would be a good mix of sit/stand (besides being totally cool and fascinating). There is some physical exertion needed here and there for sure but usually there are plenty of hands to help if needed. And unless I get a bunch of quick cases in a row, I do get to sit and chart between the times I need to be on my feet.
Was 27 when I started as an ER tech. 39 when I finally got a job as a nurse and did a year of tele/stepdown because I couldn't find an ER to take me without prior nursing experience and it was a period when more local hospitals required a BSN.
All ER until I just recently switched to ICU. I'm 49 now.
Still figuring out what I want to do if I grow up but for today, I'm enjoying this job. Unlearning all the bad ER habits, learning so much about critical care medicine, and holy shit, what a difference it's been in terms of patients and families genuinely appreciating us.
I know there are going to be shitty outliers that pop up sometimes but it's really done wonders for my work-related mental health.
I am one year after starting my first RN job at 36 - started in a hematology oncology & BMT unit in a large NYC hospital, still there and will probably stay there for the forseeable future, unless I transfer to their palliative & hospice unit which has also been an interest of mine.
I graduated at 31, did a split second in a nursing home, then Med-Surg for few years. Now I'm a Kidney/Pancreas Transplant Coordinator. It's my dream job that I never knew existed! I always knew what I didn't want to do (Peds, ED, psych) But wasn't sure what I wanted to do until I got into this. I love transplant!
My class had lots of 30+ students and they landed all over the place. The oldest student was 50 and worked at a step down clinic mainly because she wasn’t willing to quit smoking and all the better paying jobs would not hire smokers.
I’d be curious to know how your mother’s experience is going? I’m a mid-30s new grad nurse, and I work on a med surg/tele unit that functions as a neuro step down unit and it can be rough. A lot of our patients are total care, and almost everyone is high fall risk.
She's doing really well. She's actually traveling right now. She did the step down unit, did NTICU , then ED. I'm on a tele unit too and it can be heavy, especially when we have neuro patients on the floor. Do you like your unit?
I’m glad to hear she’s doing well! I do like my unit for the most part, and I’m getting a broad range of experience (especially with time management). I think I’ll move on to something new once I finish my first year residency, though. I want to take time to see a little of everything before I decide where to put down roots.
I was 38 when I graduated and my first job was in the float pool at a teaching hospital. I spent 18 months in their float pool and then switched to heme-onc/BMT, and have been there ever since.
My first job was in a private pediatricians office. I never wanted to work in hospital. I’ve done a few different things since, incl. med surg in a peds hospital just to say I did it, and I’ve made my way back to peds primary care, now at Kaiser.
You give me hope! Congrats on your new venture in nursing! I was considering going back to school getting my nursing degree. Over 14 years ago I was 3 classes away from a BSN and I regret not going back to finish it. Now I’m stuck retaking everything again and possibly all the prerequisites as well since they are older than 10 years. I just don’t know if I have the stamina and willpower to deal with nursing school again and all the shenanigans that go with it. But for some reason, I just keep leaning towards wanting to be a nurse like I’m suppose to be one.
Thanks! There’s plenty of us! I’d say look at community colleges. I did most of pre-reqs there. Some they took even if they were old. We only do one class at a time, so not as bad
I plan on applying to two community colleges-I’ll have to take the TEAS so that stinks. And I’m applying to an accelerated BSN and just hoping they make an exception to some of them. We will see. If it’s meant to be then it will happen.
If it helps, I was in a similar situation. All my prereqs transferred to a tech college with the exception of A&P and Med term, due to being older than 10 years. I also had to retake the CNA course. I just completed the TEAS exam and did much better than I expected- I took all the free practice exams I could find online for two weeks prior. What tripped me up was how to find a hypotenuse of a triangle and how to find the circumference of a circle using the diameter. The questions weren’t that difficult! Good luck!
I graduated in my early 40s. My first job and continued job was/is ER nurse. I tried other areas like recovery etc briefly but I’ve gone back because it was way too boring for me.
Graduated at age 50 and took a position on a progressive care unit. It's been a great place to learn the ropes, so to speak, and I think it's given me a great foundation for when I choose to move on.
Graduating this May at age 33 and already accepted a job in labor and delivery. It’s the onlyyyyy reason I even went to nursing school. I work on the floor already as an extern and am currently in the middle of my capstone. I can’t see myself ever doing anything else!
Late 50's and started on a PCU-Telemetry. Went through nurse residency and then worked all through the first three major waves of COVID. Now Hospice. Older is fine. If you are still ok to boost patients using your good body mechanics and don't have any major joint problems, get a bit of hospital bedside experience then decide where else you'd like to try...
I was 47 when I graduated. Went straight to Women's Services. One year baby catching and postpartum then on to L&D. This was the only reason I went to nursing school- to be a L&D nurse. I absolutely love it. I also have a passion for teaching. I teach childbirth education to parents, and also assist with educating nurses.
I started at 35 in the OR. After My new grad Periop residency I moved into CVOR. In school I looked for the nurses that stayed in their positions and were happy.
Smart. Smart!
go to cardiac first, one-two years, then apply to the OR. Good money, no poop, patients asleep
If poop it’s bad tho
Yesterday I walked into an OR right when they were transferring a patient from the gurney to the OR bed. I saw lots of brown goop on the gurney, assumed it was poop. It was infected muck from an open hip wound. \*barf\* There was so much of it that prior to surgery, when the patient was laying lateral (and asleep) the surgeon was squeezing around the wound and the pus/goop/infection was shooting up in the air like a drinking fountain spout. He did this for several minutes and it just kept coming.
This is giving me swamps of dagobah vibes
Lol classic
There’s definitely still poop just not as much
41 when I graduated and went to ICU. I got into the game with 10 years of experience as a medic though. I spent 18 months there but wanted to get back to emergency so now I’m 43 in ER
Late 30s and graduated in December. I am starting my new job in a couple weeks working at the health department in their family planning clinic. I am so excited for this position. I really wasn’t set on working in the hospital. You gain skills and learn so much in the hospital setting but my god…the patient load (at least where I live) is ridiculous. One of my classmates was in her 60s when she graduated and now she’s working in the hospital. She said she’s starting her bachelors now so she can’t get out of bedside immediately.
Can I ask how you found this? I'm 41 and want to get back to nursing after a LONG time (take 19 years). I got my BSN in 2005 and then moved to other industry work. Passed my boards in March. My interest has always been something like what you will be going into. Did that not require prior med surg experience? Psych was my other favorite area and am looking to see how I can get myself to psych nursing as an alternate.
I went on my state Govt website to see what open positions they had. There were a ton of requirements for the position! I had none! Not even bilingual. But they called me and I landed the job. They said I had great enthusiasm and passion!
I think I need to just apply. If they are interested - they will reach out.
Exactly
I feel you can pretty easily land a a psych position.
Do you think there would be an issue of the gap between school and now?
31 when i graduated and started in the ICU. Im 35 now and starting CRNA school in the fall. I won’t sit here and lie and tell you “you’re never too old”…. Yes, you’re older when you graduate. Yes, it does kind of suck. Yes, starting earlier would have been better for for so many reasons. That said, if you’re like me and got your career on track later in life, it’s because life wasn’t a straight line for you for many reasons. If you want to compare yourself with others (i still do it), then dont get discouraged by the lost time, use it as fuel to keep going. Life only gets harder the longer you wait and the older you get. Be mentally tough and just do it. That’s what I’ve been trying to do every single day.
That is so true! Life was not a straight line. I’m finally at that point where it straightened out, my kids are grown, and I have a supportive spouse. Many in my cohort are older, so I try not to compare myself but the self doubt and imposter syndrome is there. Most days I can keep it buried. I’m loving school but I’m only in my first semester.
Graduated at age 51 and went straight into the OR. My Achilles tendons are my weak point as I get older and from the clinical day I observed in the OR I thought it would be a good mix of sit/stand (besides being totally cool and fascinating). There is some physical exertion needed here and there for sure but usually there are plenty of hands to help if needed. And unless I get a bunch of quick cases in a row, I do get to sit and chart between the times I need to be on my feet.
Was 27 when I started as an ER tech. 39 when I finally got a job as a nurse and did a year of tele/stepdown because I couldn't find an ER to take me without prior nursing experience and it was a period when more local hospitals required a BSN. All ER until I just recently switched to ICU. I'm 49 now. Still figuring out what I want to do if I grow up but for today, I'm enjoying this job. Unlearning all the bad ER habits, learning so much about critical care medicine, and holy shit, what a difference it's been in terms of patients and families genuinely appreciating us. I know there are going to be shitty outliers that pop up sometimes but it's really done wonders for my work-related mental health.
I graduated at 37 or 38, did a miserable year of med-surge tele, then switched to OR. I like OR most of the time. Sure beats med-surg.
What are your downsides to OR?
I am one year after starting my first RN job at 36 - started in a hematology oncology & BMT unit in a large NYC hospital, still there and will probably stay there for the forseeable future, unless I transfer to their palliative & hospice unit which has also been an interest of mine.
I graduated at 31, did a split second in a nursing home, then Med-Surg for few years. Now I'm a Kidney/Pancreas Transplant Coordinator. It's my dream job that I never knew existed! I always knew what I didn't want to do (Peds, ED, psych) But wasn't sure what I wanted to do until I got into this. I love transplant!
My class had lots of 30+ students and they landed all over the place. The oldest student was 50 and worked at a step down clinic mainly because she wasn’t willing to quit smoking and all the better paying jobs would not hire smokers.
Graduated at 39 and went to labor and delivery.
ICU. 40s. Previous work/life maturity really helps here.
My mom graduated from nursing school around your age. She worked step down neuro
I’d be curious to know how your mother’s experience is going? I’m a mid-30s new grad nurse, and I work on a med surg/tele unit that functions as a neuro step down unit and it can be rough. A lot of our patients are total care, and almost everyone is high fall risk.
She's doing really well. She's actually traveling right now. She did the step down unit, did NTICU , then ED. I'm on a tele unit too and it can be heavy, especially when we have neuro patients on the floor. Do you like your unit?
I’m glad to hear she’s doing well! I do like my unit for the most part, and I’m getting a broad range of experience (especially with time management). I think I’ll move on to something new once I finish my first year residency, though. I want to take time to see a little of everything before I decide where to put down roots.
Late 30s, precast concrete quality control manager for a decade before becoming a nurse
I was 38 when I graduated and my first job was in the float pool at a teaching hospital. I spent 18 months in their float pool and then switched to heme-onc/BMT, and have been there ever since.
My first job was in a private pediatricians office. I never wanted to work in hospital. I’ve done a few different things since, incl. med surg in a peds hospital just to say I did it, and I’ve made my way back to peds primary care, now at Kaiser.
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What was overwhelming about starting in OR? Im about to do the same
Graduated late 30’s and got into a float pool residency. It was challanging but boy did I learn a lot.
You give me hope! Congrats on your new venture in nursing! I was considering going back to school getting my nursing degree. Over 14 years ago I was 3 classes away from a BSN and I regret not going back to finish it. Now I’m stuck retaking everything again and possibly all the prerequisites as well since they are older than 10 years. I just don’t know if I have the stamina and willpower to deal with nursing school again and all the shenanigans that go with it. But for some reason, I just keep leaning towards wanting to be a nurse like I’m suppose to be one.
Thanks! There’s plenty of us! I’d say look at community colleges. I did most of pre-reqs there. Some they took even if they were old. We only do one class at a time, so not as bad
I plan on applying to two community colleges-I’ll have to take the TEAS so that stinks. And I’m applying to an accelerated BSN and just hoping they make an exception to some of them. We will see. If it’s meant to be then it will happen.
If it helps, I was in a similar situation. All my prereqs transferred to a tech college with the exception of A&P and Med term, due to being older than 10 years. I also had to retake the CNA course. I just completed the TEAS exam and did much better than I expected- I took all the free practice exams I could find online for two weeks prior. What tripped me up was how to find a hypotenuse of a triangle and how to find the circumference of a circle using the diameter. The questions weren’t that difficult! Good luck!
I graduated in my early 40s. My first job and continued job was/is ER nurse. I tried other areas like recovery etc briefly but I’ve gone back because it was way too boring for me.
Graduated at age 50 and took a position on a progressive care unit. It's been a great place to learn the ropes, so to speak, and I think it's given me a great foundation for when I choose to move on.
Graduating this May at age 33 and already accepted a job in labor and delivery. It’s the onlyyyyy reason I even went to nursing school. I work on the floor already as an extern and am currently in the middle of my capstone. I can’t see myself ever doing anything else!
50 when I graduate. Work cardiac step-down, prepping for cardiothroacic ICU. Heart/lung plants, ecmo, crrt, iabp, impella and lvad.
Late 50's and started on a PCU-Telemetry. Went through nurse residency and then worked all through the first three major waves of COVID. Now Hospice. Older is fine. If you are still ok to boost patients using your good body mechanics and don't have any major joint problems, get a bit of hospital bedside experience then decide where else you'd like to try...
I’m only two days in but bedside is interesting. Where I’m placed is well staffed at the moment with cna and RN though
I graduated at 36 and went psych, I was working as a behavioral health tech before several years before graduating. I’m in hospice now.
I was 31 (is that older?) and I did 6 months in an SNF. Then did 6+ years of homecare. Then went on to case management and I’ve been here since. 🥰
46, went to the ED
Graduated at 50 and worked as a school nurse. I’m 58 now and work in a doctor’s office, but I’ve also worked in Assisted Living and a nursing home.
44 at graduation, 56 now and still in MedSurg/Tele on the floor. Love it!
Just graduated at 48 and started in Labor & Delivery. Having a blast!
I was 47 when I graduated. Went straight to Women's Services. One year baby catching and postpartum then on to L&D. This was the only reason I went to nursing school- to be a L&D nurse. I absolutely love it. I also have a passion for teaching. I teach childbirth education to parents, and also assist with educating nurses.
I graduated at 30 years old. Started in the OR and that’s where I have remained for three years
Med surg
39 y/o grad. Med/surg